Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of American posters is the way they reflect, magnify, and even alter American culture. Posters mix art and commercial interests; they communicate phrases and can depict the various forms of advocacy that form our unique history. No matter how graphically striking posters are, it is their contentthe reminders of past events, the glamour of film stars, the need to fight warsthat captures our attention.

Using the posters as a starting point, this section explores the actual events that inspired artists to create the images that have become graphic icons for the ideas and occasions they commemorate.